RECENT PRESENTATIONS

Gevins, A., & Smith, M.E. (2005). Assessing fitness-for-duty and predicting performance with cognitive neurophysiological measures. Proceedings of SPIE, Biomonitoring for Physiological and Cognitive Performance during Military Operations, April, Orlando, FL.

ABSTRACT

Progress is described in developing a novel test of neurocognitive status for fitness-for-duty testing that combines neurophysiologic (EEG) measures of brain activation with performance measures during a psychometric test of sustained attention and working memory, and then gauges changes in neurocognitive status relative to an individual's normative baseline. In studies of the effects of common psychoactive substances that can affect job performance, including sedating antihistamines, caffeine, alcohol, marijuana, and prescription medications, test sensitivity was greater for the combined neurophysiological and performance measures than for task performance measures by themselves. The neurocognitive effects of overnight sleep deprivation were quite evident, and such effects predicted subsequent performance impairment on a flight simulator task. Sensitivity to diurnal circadian variations was also demonstrated. With further refinement and independent validation, this new test may prove useful for assessing readiness-to-perform in high-asset personnel working in demanding, high risk situations.
Supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory, DARPA and NIH.